Mumbai Could Soon See an Increase in Flight Operations

As per a new proposal, Mumbai Airport’s departures and arrivals could be doubled to accommodate more passengers trying to get in and out of the city. Though Maharashtra opened domestic flights to and from Mumbai in limited numbers on May 25, it is said that the State Government’s coalition partner, NCP has sought the doubling of flights as demand surges.

Speaking to the Times of India, senior NCP leader and former civil aviation minister, Praful Patel said “I have spoken to the state government. There is a need to enhance flights in and out of Mumbai. There will be a decision on increasing flights very soon.”

As per sources familiar with the matter, the government is looking to gradually increase the frequency of incoming and outgoing flights rather than bump up capacity right away. It is believed that the government has been asked to allow at least 100 departures and arrivals at CSMIA (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport). 

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The situation appears to be tricky for airlines from an economic standpoint. Unless there’s ample passenger demand, airlines cannot afford to make trips with almost empty flights to other states. 

However, Mumbai is one of the busiest airports in the country, second only to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). The concern here is with regard to the flights that leave Mumbai to other states where they may have different rules and restrictions for people flying in from a COVID-19 hotspot.

“More than 10 lakh people have now flown on more than 11,500 flights since domestic operations recommenced on May 25, 2020,” Puri tweeted on June 13,” Civil Aviation Minister, Hardeep Singh Puri, said on Twitter.

Despite the Central Government allowing resumption of one-third of the scheduled flights, the number has been capped in hotspots like Mumbai with an abundance of caution. However, this will change soon as the government gears up to increase the frequency of flight operations at CSMIA.